Butte County gets Jr. waterfowl hunts

12/16/15 -- The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is offering apprentice waterfowl hunting opportunities at the Howard Slough Unit in the Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area. Beginning on Saturday, Dec.19, 2015, the rice blinds will be open to hunters who possess a junior hunting license. These blinds will only available on Wednesday and Saturday from legal shoot time until noon. Permits must be obtained from the check station and returned by 1 p.m.

Apprentice hunters must be accompanied by an adult hunter or non-hunting adult. Only one adult may hunt from the blind. An adult hunter may bring up to two junior license holders. The limit is three persons per blind.

Apprentice rice blinds are filled first by reservations, then by lottery and lastly, on a first-come, first-served basis. Hunters without reservations can enter the lottery at the check station the night before the hunt from 6-8 p.m. Reservation can be made online. First-time users will need to register.

All hunters must have a valid California hunting license and harvest improvement program validation. Adult hunters must also have a Type A wildlife area pass, California duck validation and a signed Federal Duck Stamp before entering the field.

Junior license holders do not need a Type A wildlife area pass or California duck validation. Junior license holders who are 16 or older are required to have a signed Federal Duck Stamp.

For more information on these hunting opportunities, please visit wildlife.ca.gov or call the Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area at (530) 982-2169.

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